Leicester Guildhall Ghost Hunts
- NEARBY LOCATIONS -
Leicester Guildhall Museum
Leicester, Leicestershire
OVERVIEW
Leicester Guildhall is a Grade I listed Medieval building dating back to circa 1390, that houses scary phantoms and ghostly characters of Leicester's past. In the 14th and 15th Centuries, the Guildhall was a meeting place for monks and a home for the priests at the adjacent Leicester Cathedral. Banquets and festivities took place in the Great Hall, and William Shakespeare reportedly visited here, inspiring him to write one of his famous plays. Leicester was besieged during the English Civil War, and original Victorian Police Cells still exist today. With a vast amount of history, and hauntings from a ghostly monk to a black cat, what will you experience after dark at Leicester Guildhall?
HISTORY
The history of the Guildhall dates back to circa 1390, when a Great Hall was built here as a meeting place for the Guild of Corpus Christi, a religious organisation of monks. Additions were made later to the Great Hall, which allowed for priests to live here as they prayed and gave mass in the adjacent Leicester Cathedral (then called St Martin's Church). The Corporation of Leicester bought the Guildhall in the early 15th Century, but continued to let the monks and priests use the building. During this Late Medieval period, many banquets, gatherings and festivities took place in the Great Hall, with good music, laughter, conversations and dances.
In the late Elizabethan period, it's strongly believed that famous playwright William Shakespeare visited the Guildhall, and possibly even performed one his plays in the Great Hall. There is also a story that says William Shakespeare first heard the tale of King Leir during his visit at the Guildhall, and it this that inspired him to write his own play, 'King Lear'. There is also a record in 1588 that describes the Mayor of Leicester using the Guildhall for a feast in celebration of defeating the Spanish Armada. In result of this defeat, weapons and armour were kept in the building in readiness for a possible invasion. The Guildhall Library was established in 1632, when the town library moved to the east wing of the building, and features many historic books and religious texts, including a large King James I Bible on a banquet table.
​
During the English Civil War, many important meetings and key decisions took place in this building, which would go on to affect the future of Leicester. On the 29th May 1645, King Charles I positioned an army of 6,000 men outside the city walls, led by his nephew Prince Rupert, in an attempt to divert attention away from Oxford. The following day, the Royalist Army made demand-after-demand for money from the city to fund his War, but Leicester didn't give in to them. Later that Tuesday afternoon at 3 o'clock, Prince Rupert's men attacked. The city walls were breached and the last stand made by the defenders took place outside of the Guildhall and St Martins Church. The Royalists then stormed the Guildhall and looted the town's archives, mace and seal.
​
While the Royalists celebrated this victory, it would only take a mere two weeks later when the Royalists suffered defeat at the Battle of Naseby. The coat of arms of King Charles I can still be seen inside the Mayor's Parlour, and there are even records that show entertainment expenses such as wine and beer paid for by one Oliver Cromwell. Despite this not proving Cromwell stayed at the Guildhall, this does potentially indicate that he visited the building several times, with one account stating he held a thanksgiving dinner to celebrate.
​
In 1836, Leicester's first police force was stationed in the Guildhall, and the Corporation of Leicester moved its headquarters to the new Leicester Town Hall in 1876. The Guildhall was later used as a school too, but by the 1920s, the building became increasingly dilapidated and was planned for the demolition. However, after intervention from the Leicestershire Archaeological and Historical Society, the Council began restoration work on the building. In 1926, the building was restored and was opened up as a public museum.
​
In September 2012 during an excavation near the Guildhall to find the lost Greyfriars Friary, a skeleton was discovered underneath the Greyfriars Car Park, with a crooked spine, a metal arrow in the back and a blow to the skull. Believed to possibly be Richard III, the body went through DNA analysis. On the 4th February 2013, a press conference was held at Leicester Guildhall, where it was confirmed and announced that archaeologists had indeed discovered the lost remains of one of England's most notorious and political Medieval monarchs, King Richard III.
​
​
GHOSTS & HAUNTINGS
There are five main ghosts that haunt Leicester Guildhall, with other accounts of paranormal activity happening here.
The first of which is that of a Medieval Monk. He is believed to have lived here as part of the Corpus Christi Guild during the late 14th Century. His apparition is often seen in the Library, where he slowly walks across the room and stops, standing in front of the opened King James I Bible. When the Bible is closed at the end of the day, staff have reported coming into the building the next morning and seeing the Bible back open again.
The second ghost is that of a White Lady, who also frequently walks around the Library. Although no one knows who this lady is, her ghost is frequently seen at the Guildhall, where she moves the Tudor furniture around room, and opens doors despite being locked and bolted.
The image of a Cavalier soldier has been seen pacing around in the Great Hall, and it's this same room where loud footsteps, bangs and light anomalies are often heard and witnessed. Visualisations of large crowds, laughter and talking is also sensed in this room by sensitives and mediums, feeling as if they should join in on the fun.
Two animal ghosts are said to haunt the Guildhall too. The first is of a Black Cat that runs up and down the wooden stairs in the Great Hall, almost tripping up visitors and staff when its energy manifests. On a previous investigation, a teddy bear placed at the top of these stairs was knocked over by an unseen force. Was this the Black Cat? The second is of a Black Dog that apparently guards the Courtyard area, barking at those who it deems to be a threat. Will you sense these two animal spirits on the night?
And lastly in the Victorian Police Cells, heavy boot footsteps can be heard from the ceiling above, and when followed, they seem to stop above the Main Entrance, where the former Constable's Cottage used to be. It's also in this area where deep male groans and voices are heard in people's ears, with sensations of being touched on the head and back. Guests have also felt sick and nauseated when down here.
YOUR GHOST HUNT EXPERIENCE
Your night of ghost hunting with Brookes Paranormal is guaranteed a fun, safe and spooky one. Experience this historic location with exclusive access after dark, as you explore the eerie rooms and areas in search for the ghostly spirits that haunt here. Here at Leicester Guildhall, you will get to investigate the Great Hall, the Library, the Victorian Police Cells, the Jury Room and the Mayor's Parlour.
Our team are friendly, professional, approachable and knowledgeable with paranormal investigating, and we will guide and support you to make sure you get the most out of your investigation. We welcome everyone from all walks of life, as our events are a safe space for all who love and enjoy the thrill of ghost hunting. Whether you're a paranormal novice or an experienced investigator, you'll be well-looked after and treated like family.
This is an honest ghost hunting experience, so there won't be any fakery or trickery during the night. We believe that if activity happens, it happens for real.
On your ghost hunt, you will be split into smaller groups to give you the best, personal experience possible. You will also get hands on with various pieces of ghost hunting equipment and participate in interesting paranormal experiments.​ While we encourage everyone
to get involved in the night's vigils, you don't have to partake in experiments like Ouija Boards and the Estes Method if you don't
want to, we have plenty of other equipment for you to use.
You will also have a couple of breaks throughout the night, where we provide you with unlimited refreshments and snacks.
YOUR EVENT INCLUDES
-
Group photo of all guests which gets published to our page
-
Small group extended vigils
-
Refreshments and snacks like teas, coffees, hot chocolates,
bottles of water, biscuits, crisps and chocolate bars -
Full use of ghost hunting equipment like K2s, EMF Meters,
REM Pods, Mel Meters, Spirit Boxes, Motion Detectors,
Dowsing Rods, Laser Grid Pens, ITC Apps and SLS Cameras -
Paranormal experiments like Ouija Boards, Glass Divination,
Table Tipping, Séances, Estes Method and Human Pendulum -
An introduction to ghost hunting equipment and techniques
for guests new to the paranormal
​
PLEASE NOTE BEFORE BOOKING
-
All attendees MUST be 18 years or older
-
Heavily pregnant women are NOT allowed on these events
-
This location is NOT wheelchair accessible
-
This location has NO sleepover facilities
-
We operate a STRICT No Alcohol/Drugs Policy on our events, and if caught or believed to be under the influence of any alcohol or drugs, you will be removed from the event immediately and banned from all future events - No refunds
-
All attendees MUST bring a torch to the event, as we will be investigating in dark areas and low light conditions
-
Sensible footwear is required for the location's environmental conditions
-
In the colder months we advise to wear warm layered clothing, and bring a warm coat with you as the night will get cooler as the event progresses
-
History tours are NOT provided at this location, but we will talk briefly on the location's past
-
Ouija Boards are brought to events at this location, however we don't force you to take part in them
-
Please ensure you are able to attend this event; deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable, and full payments and remaining balances are non-refundable and non-transferable
four weeks prior to the event date
​
​
ADDRESS, EVENT TIMES & PARKING
ADDRESS: The Guildhall Museum, Guildhall Lane, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE1 5FQ
​
EVENT TIMES: 9:00pm - 2:00am (arrive at 8:45pm)
​
PARKING:
-
New Street Car Park
-
NCP Leicester St Nicholas Circle Car Park
-
Local Street Parking